Method op finishing foot-coverings and leggings



I. V. WALSH.

METHOD OF FINISHING FOOT COVERINGS AND LEGGINGS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-4, I915.

1494,100. Patented Aug. 8,1916.

JOHN VINCENT WALSI-I,

OF HAVERHILL, MASSACHUSETTS.

METHOD OF FINISHING FGOT-COVERINGS AND LEGGINGS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 191G.

Application filed August 4, 1915. Serial No. 43,622.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN VINCENT l VnLsIr, a citizen of the United States, residing: at Haverhill, Essex county, and State of Massachusetts, have invented and discovered certain new and useful Improvements in. Methods of Finishing Foot-Coverings and Leggings, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a method of finishing the inner and outer surfaces of foot coverings and leggings, and consists in the combinations and arrangements of steps of procedure hereinafter described and particularly set forth in the accompanying claims. 7

The invention has for its purpose to take an ordinary wool or fur felt shoe and change it to a finish giving a high luster or polish, and also a soft and smooth finish giving a velour, silk, or satin effect, thereby increasing the quality and value of the finished product, and obtaining a more superior ar comfortable for wear. These defects, so far i as I can ascertain, are due to the fact that no apparatus has been provided whereby both the inner and outer surfaces and inaccessible portions of the shoes, slippers, or boots could be reached for treatment, and it is, therefore, one purpose of the present invention to provide an apparatus whereby such foot coverings may be treated for the object stated.

The apparatus for carrying out the process is illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawing, and Fig. 2 illustrates the manner of treating the sole portion of the foot covering preparatory to the operation.

In carrying out the process the foot covering has the sole portion 1 cut away, as at 2, to provide a flange or welt 3 extendlng entirely around the sole and heel portions, and when thus treated the shoe, slipper, or boot is adapted to be fitted on the arm 4 mounted on the lever 5 that is fulcrumed on the support 6 of the machine. The lever 5 is actuated to raise and lower the arm 4 by a treadle lever 7 connected to said lever 5 by the rod 8. The abrading roller 9 mounted on the rotary shaft 10 is driven by the belt 11 riding on the pulley 12.

The arm 4 is relatively long and has mounted on the free end 13 thereof a block 14. covered with rubber or other yieldable material 15, and said block is recessed or channeled. at the top to receive a cushion 16, which, is preferably a section of rubber hose covered with a cloth, thus affording a soft and elastic support for the work.

Theshoe or slipper 1 is fitted over the end 13 of the arm at through the opening 2 in the sole, as illustrated, and is then treated or pounced by sandpaper or other abrasive surface 17, first over the entire surface of the welt 3, and then over the entire surface of the upper, and in this operation the working is from the heel toward the toe. This treatment, 6. working from the heel toward the tee, is repeated until the entire surface on one side of the shoe or slipper is'finished, when the foot covering is then turned on the supporting bar 4 and the en tire surface of the opposite side thereof is similarly worked, but from the toe toward theheel, and in this manner the entire surface of the boot or shoe is worked to the end that the nap will run in the same gen eral direction. The boot or shoe is then turned inside. out and the reverse surface of the welt and the upper is in like manner treated.

In order to produce the nap to run in the opposite direction, the foot covering would be placed on the arm through the upper opening, when the end thereof would projec through the sole opening and in this position the shoe or slipper could be easily handled for the pouncing and bufling operations after the manner just stated. The sandpaper or abrasive roller is then replaced by a head of solid wool or fur felt, or a wooden block covered to give a woolen or fur effect, when the article is mounted over the end of the arm as in the first instance and the welt 3 and the entire surface of the upper is buffed, burnished, or lured, and the opposite surface of the welt and the upper is in like manner treated. By thus treating both the inner and outer surfaces of the foot covering or legging a high polish or lustrous shine is obtained for the exterior, and a smooth and glassy feeling is given to the inside, thereby obtaining an appearance or character for the boot or shoe of a high order, and from the same grade of stock that has been used heretofore.

It is further contemplated to provide the rotary head 9 With a Wired surface covering 6. g. card clothing, for producing a loose and soft, fluffy effect having the appearance, for instance, of Scotch plaid.

While I have disclosed the means and the various steps of operation for obtaining the results stated, it will be understood that 1 am not limited to the details of apparatus or precise procedure disclosed, inasmuch as the same may be altered in certain respects Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim is new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. The method of producing a lustrous and smooth finish to a foot covering consisting in pouncing the entire inner and outer surfaces thereof each in one general direction With an abrasive, and then bu'fiing the pounced surfaces in the same directions, substantially as set forth.

2. The method of producing a lustrous and smooth finish to a foot covering consisting in pouncing the entire inner and outer surfaces thereof each in one general direction With sandpaper, and then bufling the pounced surfaces in the same direction, sub stantially as set forth.

3. The method of producing a lustrous and smooth finish to a foot covering consisting in providing an opening in the sole portion thereof, supporting the foot covering through said opening and pouncing the surface thereof in one general direction, and then'bufling the pounced surface in the same direction, substantially as set forth.

4.. The method of producing a lustrous and smooth finish to a foot covering consisting in providing an opening in the sole portion thereof, supporting the foot covering through said opening, and pouncing the surface of the upper in one general direction, bufiing the pounced surface in the same direction, turning inside-out the foot covering, and then treating the new surface as aforesaid, substantiallyas set forth.

5. The method of producing a lustrous and smooth finish to a foot covering consist ing in providing anopening in the sole por-- tion thereof, supporting the foot covering through said opening andpouncing the surface of the upper in one general direction With sandpaper, buffing the pounced surface in the same'direction With a Woolly surface, turning inside-out the foot covering, and then treating the new surface of the upper as aforesaid, substantially as set forth.

, 6. The method of producing a lustrous and smooth finish to a foot covering consisting in providing an opening in the sole portion thereof, supporting thelfoot covering through said opening and pouncing the surface of the upper, first on one side and from the heel toward the toe and then on the other side from the toe toWardthe heel whereby to leavethe nap running in one general direction, buffing the pounced surface in a like manner, turning inside-out the foot covering, and then pouncing and bufis ing the new surface thereof as aforesaid, substantially as set forth.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Washington,rDistrict of Columbia,this third day of August, A. D. nineteen hundred and fifteen.

JOHN VINCENT WALSH. a 5.]

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

